'Vicious' Sanctions Will Only Speed Up Nuclear Program: North Korea

Spain's decision was labeled as a protest against Pyongyang's nuclear tests, Spanish diplomacy adding that Pyongyang's actions are a "serious threat to peace".

The two leaders "committed to maximising pressure on North Korea through vigorous enforcement of United Nations Security Council resolutions", a statement said.

"North Korea exploits its diplomatic privileges to fund its illicit nuclear and missile technology programs", he said, "and constraining its diplomatic activity will cut off a flow of needed resources".

The ministry said Kim was summoned earlier that day and told to leave Spain before September 30.

Earlier this month, Spain ordered the North Korean embassy there to downsize its staff for similar reasons.

Mr Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-In spoke by phone and vowed to exert "stronger pressure" on the North, with Moon's office warning that further provocation would put it on a "path of collapse".

The North Korean ambassadors to Myanmar and Egypt were replaced past year after they were put on a UN Security blacklist.

North Korea now holds diplomatic relations with 160 countries along with missions in Moscow and Beijing and embassies in London, Rome, Stockholm and Berlin, according to South Korea's Unification Ministry.

US Vice President Mike Pence called on four key South American nations - Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Chile - to join in the global effort to curb North Korea's economic growth, during his August trip to South America.

The U.S. military released 24 photos of the latest show of force, an apparent message to North Korea and the worldwide community.

In the Middle East, Kuwait followed suit on Sunday by passing down the same order on the North Korean ambassador and four other diplomats there.

The EU is looking into slashing the amount of money that can be wired to North Korea, Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported Tuesday.